Black Fly Song

Thought I'd throw up this link for those that haven't seen this. The National Film Board Of Canada made youtube take it down.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=28173986

Just Remembering

Thought you might enjoy this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_G0vVo7zBU

A SAD DAY FOR ALL

Mike Seeger passed peacefully in his sleep last night. His great contributions to the folk music world were legendary. Some of us were fortunate enough to be at the Paradox when The New Lost City Ramblers performed. It was a great lesson in musicology for us all.

We will miss you ,Mike.....

This just in from Daisy

Daisy is waiting for you all to come back, missing sharing food and music with all of you.....

Rand's "Windy" Dada

Helen - We'll send your Reunion documentation package soon. As you can see, we're awful busy! Mandie


This is a 1962 Harmony studio-grade guitar sold for $24.95 at Sears and Roebuck and rescued at a garage sale for $1

Mike Seeger

Some of the most fun I had in the mid 60s was watching the New Lost City Ramblers at the Ash Grove. They were scholars of southern and Appalachian mountain style folk music, who remembered that the point of the excercize was fun. At its core was one of the amazing Seeger clan, Mike, on banjo, fiddle and guitar. These are the guys who weaned me away from the slicker pop-folk acts and helped me develop my taste for mountain music of the homemade variety. To everything, there is a season, and sad to say, we're losing him. Ed Ward just posted this note from Alice Gerrard to my online musicians forum.

Topic 1812 [music]: Musicians in Need
#12 of 13: Flavor of the Weak (captward) Thu Jul 30 '09 (09:50) 17 lines

Not so much in need, but I guess this is where this goes:

From Alice Gerrard:
I don't know if you've heard the news re Mike Seeger but I thought you
should, and also pass it along to anyone you think should know. Mike
has been fighting non-Hodgkins lymphoma for a long time as you probably
know, but very recently it kind of morphed into a multiple myaloma
leukemia that involved blood, bone and throat. He underwent radiation
this past week but it didn't work, and he's opted to go home and
receive hospice care. It is probably a matter of days according to his
wife, Alexia. Her email is alexia at rockbridge.net and she prefers to
receive emails rather than phone calls. They will leave the hospital
where he's been receiving treatment and go home tomorrow.

Sad days...

Alice



And, although I never met him, I feel like I'm losing an old friend. So long, Mike

"Some went on...."

"...to make commercial recordings...
said Hank.
And Rik Elswit was one of them. How ironic that
"Everybody's making it big but me..." with Dr. Hook, made
him BIGTIME. One of the hip young nobody's who walked into
the little funky Paradox with hope and wonder and climbed
on up the Stairway to Stardom to become a Star.

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band became stars too.
Jim Fadden and Bruce Kunkle hold the stage with
Jim Fielder of Blood, Sweat and Tears playing bass.
Just how these young kids, Elswit, Fadden, Kunkle, Fielder and the rest
had the stuff to be professionals at that age I can only wonder.

Two more Nitty Gritty Dirt Band founding members, (with Jim playing bass).
That makes 4 Dirt Band founding members on the Willow Valley Stage.
Amazing.
Fielder, a superb master of Bass, JB, a superstar still, and Ralph Barr,
destined to become a legend with amazing, spellbinding guitar and song.
Different paths for these extremely talented and practiced musicans.
They each confided in me that they were pretty sure it
was the Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Old Friends of Mine

While Steve Noonan was the first guitar of this Paradox crowd,
he was also the first friend I had among them.
I met Jackson, who sits in the audience about the same time.
The most recent addition to the Paradox musical
review must be Cat Girton, daughter of maestro John Girton
whom I met 15 some years later.
Three old friends from opposite ends of the timeline,
brought to the stage by those same two
firestarters.
Bob and Helen Sheffer sure know some good folks.

New, Old, ???

My old friend Rob, who I hardly ever even knew. But the atmosphere at
ReUnion '09 was so great, everybody seemed like old friends. It was
just great to meet Rob again, for real this time.
Rob's performance on guitar really stood out as extra fine to my ears. He really has that
instruments voice singing sweetly. Great playing and singing.
When Jan sang with him it was like a time machine, right back
to that olden' day of the Paradox.

The Green Room

The Heart of the Matter

....is musicians and instruments.



Click on the images for giant enlargement.
Attn:Bob and Helen...can you see these? I can make them smaller.
I have reduced them but I can reduce more and still have more
picture than anyone needs here.
Your complete collection is now ready and will be mailed on a
CD soon.
.

A Musical Place

Michael Ray Cox at Paradox Reunion

Hi All - Michael says he's not online much but liked the idea of a youtube video. If anyone runs into him, let him know he's on! Thanks, Mandie

Next Reunion and a Proposal (No - not that kind)

I sent this yesterday: "Pen",

First things first, I'll presume you got home safely and all that. What with work and all, it took me two or three evenings to finish your book. Absolutely wonderful. (I, of course, would've expected nothing less.) I'm writing this as I listen to the music on the Paradox blogsite. It's not just a trip down memory lane. It's an open door to the pathway of our road in life. "And the band played on", indeed. We must make the next one, no matter what. I have a proposal I'd like to make to everyone, that somehow, we consider finding a way to put on a telethon for some worthy cause. I know there's still enough "Star Power" amongst us to get that done, but there's another reason, and a good one, I believe, as well. It's the concept of "Out of little acorns, mighty oaks do grow". And by that, I mean that if the entire theme of the telethon, besides the worthy cause, of course, is to show how one little idea, "The Folkswingers" (how '60's), started at just one club, has led to everyone's rising influence in not only music, but in the greater community as well. By way of demonstration, I would propose that not only the original 40 or so musicians, club owners, promoters, et al, that were involved with the safe space to meet and experiment musically that was created for us at The Paradox be in this thing, to be a part of it, but those with whom the core group later went on to perform with be included as well. I know, I (trust me) know, the ego clashes would be nothing short of monumental (if we let them be) - so what! After all, at this stage in our lives, I believe the best thing we could do would be to "pass it on" by showing, in very clear, graphic (telegenic) terms, just what power a small contribution to the arts can accomplish. Besides, it could be one hell of a ride. And fun besides.

I think I'm going to post this (and I hope you don't mind) on the Paradox's site and see what apples (no lemons please) shake out of the tree. With your permission only, of course.

Your Friendly Curmudgeon,

John "J. B." Besharian

I received this reply today: Sure John! Go ahead and post. Did you go to the reunion?

Pen

Sent from my [her] Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Last Call!

I still have several of Gary's beautiful 100% cotton reunion t-shirts for anyone who didn't get one, or who would like to treat a friend to a lovely memento of the weekend. For only $20 and your address it is yours.

We Are the Paradox logo cups, and reunion totes with everyone's name on it, are also still available for $15 each.

All proceeds help support the expenses of the reunion.

On The Radio

Norma and I are sitting in the KPFA studios, listening to Steve tuning up and getting ready to be interviewed on David Gans' "Dead to the World". And since I don't use Twitter, I figured I'd post to the blog. Live blogging, I think they call it. Since David's an old friend and singing partner of mine we figured to show up and be family and moral support for him and Steve both.

Well, it's 9:00 and it's just music for another half hour. David just wiped some stuff he had on his computer and is typing like mad into his computer trying to access his carts. And he's done it. Amazing how computerized everything in the world is. Steve just passed David the Edge Of The World album in a perfectly executed Nashville Handshake.

OK, event announcements and Steve opens by playing one live. He's on, and he's ON. Sounds great. You can hear this stuff at kpfa.org. Opened with "Bringing it Back Home" On to "Buy For Me The Rain".

Discussion of the state of the biz and the fact that it's devolving to a model of a small record company for each artist.

More music. Don't know the material enough to know the titles of the new stuff, but he's in great voice. "A Very Different Mile" No wonder I didn't recognize it. Not recorded yet. If I had any money, I'd pay to hear this.

Last tune. Next DJ just moved in to set up his intro music. This is going to time out perfectly.

Fielder Redux

I lightened this up a little, I hope you don't mind.
That Strato-Mando looks like fun.
What a fine looking bunch. I bet they sound
great. Thanks for sharing this fine photo.

THE FIELDER FAMILY MINUS ONE

Here is Jim playing with our two boys at church. Hamlyn, in the middle is on Mandocaster, and Gentry, on the right, is playing electric bass.
I am the photographer.
Love,
Alyse

Paradox Reunion 2009

Hi Paradox Folks. It's Mandie. Here's a little MandRand overview of our fun weekend at Bob and Helen's home. We're still talking about the folks, the music, and the beautiful land. Thanks for a wonderful time.



NEW TO THIS POST.....YOUTUBE VERSION NOW AVAILABLE....
A LITTLE BETTER QUALITY IN ALL WAYS.....
YOUTUBE LINK...CLICK HERE.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7qy2EfrUK0

WELL, THE CLICKABLE DON'T DANG WORK.
PASTE IT IN OR JUST GO TO YOUTUBE
AND SEARCH "PARADOX REUNION 2009"

Eureka! Gold discovered in California!

Ralph Barr.
Amazing. A Whole new level of something beyond.
A voice and a guitar that go further into their beauty than anyone ever has.
Legendary names could be mentioned as Ralph Barr moves beyond them.
The Tone.
He has Tone everywhere.
Appolo and Orpheo had it.
David had it.
Ralph has it.


Jim Fadden, a virtuoso with a black case of silver instruments
which he plays like a jeweler, sparkling chains, rubys and diamonds,
keeps company.

A real musical flash from the past....

Lavender

Lavender Bassman
As consistant as the rolling sea. He's always
there. Words could
never say how much he brings and shares.
Beautiful music comes through him whether
he's playing his instrument or simply being.
Jim Fielder.

THE PARADOX BALL

Specal thanks to Ralph, Michael Ray, Uncle Bob, Lavender Jim and the Paradox Choir for turning my words and a few chords into a song.
It was the first time I ever had a dog in the race and it was a major rush to hear it become a reality. Bravo!

Tony Duque Story

I have a story I tell people when I'm trying to give people a taste of what it was like, and Tony supplied the punchline.

One night in '66, Jose Feliciano was doing a late set at the hoot and quieted everybody down saying something to the effect of, "I want you to listen to this because I really mean it." And he floored us all by doing something that none of us had ever heard before. He did "The Star Spangled Banner" in a very Ray Charles soul style, the way he did when he messed with everybody's mind at the World Series a few years later.

OK, now everybody does it like that. Even Aretha. But in '66, in white suburban Orange County, just when Vietnam was blowing up in our faces and a number of us were afraid to go to the mailbox for fear of a letter from the government, nobody had ever done such a thing. It was unthinkable.

And he did mean it. He sang it from the heart, and everybody sat there, stunned. And Tony, who was sitting next to me, whispered, "Damn. It almost makes you want to enlist."

The Greatest Ringmaster.......

For the Greatest Show on Earth.
Master of Ceremonies **STEVE NOONAN**
sorts out precious stage time, wishing
this circus had at least 3 rings.
A tough job, done with expertise and laughter.

The Winner and Still Champion..

BOB SHEFFER and THE WILLOW VALLEY SINGERS.

Click on the picture for the large version of the photo.

Y'all behave now

Norma and I will be up on Saturday and staying for the duration. Don't play all the good stuff on Friday.

SHAMELESS CHEAP PROMOTIONAL STUNT

DAVE ADDS MORE RADAR BEAMS TO RALPH'S FINAL MIX

Getting Ready to Hit the Road!

"WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON"

The Paradox Circus is coming to town

That ought to give you Happy Feet!

SENIOR MOMENTS

Quick ALTZHEIMERS Test
The following was developed as a mental age assessment by the School of Psychiatry at Harvard University . Take your time and see if you can read each line aloud without a mistake. The average person over 40 years of age cannot do it!
1. This is this cat.
2. This is is cat.
3. This is how cat.
4. This is to cat.
5. This is keep cat.
6. This is an cat.
7. This is old cat.
8. This is fart cat.
9. This is busy cat.
10. This is for cat.
11. This is forty cat.
12. This is seconds cat.
Now go back and read the third word in each line from the top down.

So, tonight I had a real Senior Moment. I'm in my local Starbucks. I stop off at the counter with the cream & sugar.I put cream & sugar in my cup and I set the lid on the counter ( as always), so I can come back and adjust my coffee. I proceed to the counter. The girl at the counter says we are just ready to brew a fresh pot. While I'm waiting I go out to my truck to continue listening to an NPR program they are doing on the aging population and senior memory. Five minutes later I go back to the counter and with about six people behind me I hand the girl my cup. She fills it with coffee and hands it back to me. I pay her and everything is going well up to this point. I then take the two quarters I'm clutching for the tip jar and without giving a second thought I drop them in my now full cup of coffee, which proceeds to splash all over the counter. She is now looking at me in utter disbelief, and the 6 people behind that watched this transpire are doing their best not to bust out laughing. She then asks with polite smile if I'd like her to rinse out the cup so I can start over . At this point it sinks in what I had just done and I am now laughing so hard at myself I can barely manage "That would be nice"

"Who were them fellers?"

Imagine my surprise, when viewing the "American Idol" finale, and Steve Martin showed up on my screen. He was accompanied by some nefarious hillbilly types, including one white haired feller with a white goatee playing mandolin. He looked kinda familiar, sorta like somebody I 'members playing banjo with Steve by reaching over to fret the strings of his while still fingering his own instrument (usually a banjo). This legerdemain was occasionally interspersed with the sudden appearance of "Flash Paper" and jokes by that dynamic duo. That was back at the Mecca. Great job, Johnny. I heard the disbelief in Ryan Seacrest's voice when he spoke to Steve at the end of the performance. It never ceases to amaze me how TV types are perpetually surprised that an actor, comedian or musician can actually be multi-talented. Go figure.

SDS

For you information, knowing that many of you many readers are quite confused at what the below picture could possibly be, let us explain. This is a SDS (Solar Dehydration System), held to the LS (Linear Supports) with the use of quite a few MR's (Modular Retainers).
Feel free to ask question's, we here at the ranch will be happy to share our solar technique's with you.
Bob h/s

Getting Ready!

This just in from Bob:




As you can see, we are getting ready for the reunion.

The Greening of the Paradox

This year, we plan to green our get together, and want to encourage everyone to do their part. We are going to buy more things in bulk (e.g., large water jugs, a keg for the beer, etc.), and will only have a minimal amount of disposable items available. This will not only help the planet, but will also help Bob and Helen with clean-up after the event.

We are encouraging everyone to bring their own plates, cups, utensils, etc. for meals. We'll provide areas where you can wash up afterward.

We'll also be selling reusable, commemorative "We are the Paradox" travel cups and plates as part of our porta-potty fundraiser for those who want to contribute that way and have something to take home with them. I'm also collecting utensils that can be washed and reused so that we can stay away from plastics.

It's getting close. It's getting exciting!

I hope you made a wish

Happy Birthday Uncle Bob Hope It's a Good One

From the Paradox Family

The Paradox Fund

Just wanted to throw this up for discussion. Am I reaching to high in thinking about setting up a non-profit Paradox Fund in support the arts or maybe a medical fund for struggling or aging artists. I know most of us are not wealthy in anything but Karma and ideas, but I think it's worth talking about. It would be a great way to keep The Paradox legacy alive when we are gone. That is definitely a worthwhile endeavor. Feedback appreciated.

Besharian speaks.....

Diane,

Ok. I got the invite. So ... I take it this is not the same site as "We are the Paradox"? Um, in that case why does it look so similar?

By the way, you all can find mine at myronjpoltroonian.blogspot.com. O.k.?

Nondiscombobulettum Selfrightus, indeed.

"J. B."

John Prine Concert

Bob and Helen left their little mountain home to go to the hussle and bussle of the big city, Sacramento, but it was worth it. We went to a John Prine Concert, one of Americas greatest songwriters. That guy sure can put words together in a magical way. We had great seats, wonderful evening. A very mature audience, like our age. His brother Doug lives in Sacramento so he did a lot of requests from Doug without his band, he did many of out favorites, great concert

Besharian found...!

He was just down the road from Bob and Helen's all along. So hopefully we'll see him at the reunion.

We're still looking for Suzi Thompson, Milt Weber, and Dan Winchester if anyone has any leads.

And we also haven't been able to find Cass Conway.

In the meantime, here's a short video from around the world to brighten your day (with thanks to Sherry Miller):

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2539741

Huh?

HERE BE A NICER PICTURE, THIS ONE
BEING THE COVER OF THE SELF MADE CD.
Hey....Color co-ordinated. We match!
(Below being the leftovers of the mess I made.
uh...well....just never mind. doh!!!)
I got hung up.
Do not adjust your set.
Due to technical difficulties,
the real post is not available.
Thank you.

OK....Here's the deal. I was trying to post
to another blog and got here by mistake.
So...
Here's the link to that song
and a few more.
http://mandrandband.blogspot.com/

The Power of Song

PBS is airing an American Masters program on Pete Seeger that really brings back the good old days. Try to see it if you can.

Van Morrison Astral Weeks Live

Van live at The Hollywood Bowl just hit the streets. DVD to follow soon. Check out the link below for a video clip Of Sweet Thing.
http://www.amazon.com/Astral-Weeks-Live-Hollywood-Bowl/dp/B001O0EHXG
Susan and I were at the show that night and it was a night to remember...enjoy!

More insider's info from John McEuen

Producer's notes..
Steve Martin * The Crow

new songs for the 5-string banjo

It has been 45 years or thereabouts that I have been listening to Steve play the banjo. We both started about the same week, in the mid-'60's music haze found in Garden Grove, California, during our years working in the Disneyland Magic shop. One day at my house, my brother Bill had a friend of his over playing music. (Dave Simpson) Dave was playing his RB 150 banjo.. He kind of knew Jesse James, Jed Clampett, Hard Ain't it Hard.. and Cripple Creek. It was the best sound we'd ever heard. I remember Steve asking this music store owner (Dave owned the Long Beach McCabe's Guitar Shop) “just how much is a good. used.. cheap banjo, anyway?” Well, Steve ended up buying that banjo from him, and I think you'll agree, when you hear the Clawhammer Medley on the album, it was a smart move. It records GREAT.

Dec. 19 that year, my 18th birthday, a begged for gift from my father appeared. I had my first banjo, a Ludwig, and started my career as a groupie for the Dillards… well, I did average seeing at least 6 -7 of their shows a month, watching Doug like a hawk. I remember showing Steve during that following year Dillard, Keith, and Scruggs licks I was picking up from slowing down records and watching Douglas… about half way through he would go his own way. Soon, a couple years later, his own way led to his own tunes, and the ones he came up with often made me jealous. That was then.

Over the ensuing years every now and then he would say, “hey, listen to this new tune”, and once more he had come up with a new statement for the banjo. Now, “only 45 years later”, there are enough for a whole album. Instead of jealous, I am the proud producer of what I think is the best album of new music for the 5-string banjo in years.

I went to several different musical worlds to frame his notes and found, that like his film and book works, there were many different frames that seemed appropriate. I was able to use almost every recording technique I have picked up from doing film scoring - from arranging to recording in advance for something to go along with something else that hasn't been done yet. . . and it all worked out.

The Calico Train, starting as an instrumental, just sounded Irish to me. I told Steve to get the coming lyrics to reflect those influences. He did. As Mary Black is one of Steve's favorite singers, I emailed Joe in Dublin (her husband/manager) about our hope to have her sing Steve's song. On the way back from Dublin three weeks later I felt like that dream had come true. I hope you like it as much as we do, and find lots of ear cookies in it. It is one of my favorite recordings I have ever made.

Since the decision to make Calico longer came in after it was recorded, and because the slow rubato part was led by Steve's banjo.. I had a lot of doctoring to do on the front.. I had Stuart play along with Steve's performance on the basic, the first slow part. Then took out all the basic track instruments from this slow part.. I made drone sounds with hammering on open tuned guitar and mandolin, bowing my guitar in G tuning, and then adding bagpipe drone D in Ireland, and overdubbed electric bass. Since there was SO MUCH leakage on all the mics, I had to get rid of the basic tracks instruments for this part of the song. I had to do this because Mary's voice just did not sound good in the slow part with the banjo plinking away, and the original track parts did not fit the vocal no one knew was going to be there when we cut the basic.. but it worked against the mournful fiddle of Stuart. Then .. when the tempo picks up.. it is all skate and everything is fine. Overall, I feel like this is one of my of recording, arranging, playing and producing.

Pitkin Co. Turnaround is one Steve and I had played for years, even once in the '70's on 'the Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson', and it got knocked out quick as a double banjo tune. Again, one I wish I had written. The great Chris Caswell and I had so much fun with his three overdubs it made it sound like some of these songs were written for his keyboard talents. Chris's accordian hides in there nicely. Brittany played a solo on this, as did Russ and Matt, that just like with their other solos on the album, showed they are masters at their craft.

A great team had been assembled with hot licks waiting, thanks to Tony and Pete for getting things together for the basic sessions to start in Englewood, New Jersey, at Bennett Studios last July. We didn't have to wait long, as we cut 15 tracks in 4 busy days. I then did overdubs in Nashville and Dublin.. and a little in my studio in Hollywood.. mixed a lot at my place and then at Nick Sevilla's. I had previously worked with Nick many times, and thought he would be the perfect engineer for this. I was right.

Tony and Steve 'killed the Crow', and 16 year old Jourdan jumped right on top of Banana Banjo. You can find out about the incredible Jourdan Urbach on his website.. just google him. I saw Jourdan at a Carnegie Hall concert last November and went backstage to meet him. He was performing some classical pieces with the symphony, the field his music is in, featuring that night a three-part piece Chris Caswell had written for him. I asked him if he would like to play on this cut, and a couple days later we got it done. I wanted to orchestrate Banana Banjo since first hearing it, because I think some of this type of music can reach a broader audience if it has these kinds of sounds, and it lent itself to that 'bigger' treatment. And that is again where the genius of Chris came in. He caught it good with his orchestra, then I plugged in Jourdan, stretched the song from 1:02 to 2:06.. and am shocked about how it worked.

Stuart Duncan filled any missing spaces, Jerry Douglas fluxed his way in and put his icing on the Steve cake, Kenny Malone kept it moving in the way only he can. Dolly and Vince came to the table and left us with a classic old country song, weaving a duet that shows Steve can write 'country'. (I tested this on several astute old-country ears, and they were shocked they had not heard this 'old song', which lyric was finished about an hour before they sang, and surprised to find out the author).

My great friend in music, David Amram, gave many of these songs his im-pick-able worldview, and Tim O'Brien made it sound like his Daddy Played the Banjo. It made my son Andrew cry when he heard this sad song. Tim had a cold the first day, but came in a second time without a fever but hot, and killed it right off.

As we recorded, things would happen. As when Steve wanted to write lyrics for a cool frailing instrumental - Late For School (frailing, like 'nother', is not in the dictionary, but that is a whole nother thing). That 2 _ min song became 3:50 or so, and will set a new mark for most words in one bluegrassy song. Thanks to my protools working well, and a couple years of practice with it for my XM radio show, several things were sewn together.

Going to Capitol Records (the famous round building in Hollywood) for their echo was exciting. They have the best chambers in the world, and as Steve allowed me to work with his actor budget instead of a banjo budget, we went there and got it done. Listen for that sound when Dolly sings 'you' at he end of a sentence. or the last word of any lyric. I used the studio where we (ngdb) did our first Hollywood audition in (1966.. they passed on us. . . but we ended up on Liberty, which years later was bought by UA, then Capitol bought UA) to get that magic echo. Nick also used up everything he had learned, and kept all this in line.

It has been great getting some of my favorite pickers together and laying in to music that I think will stand the test of time. I truly feel that if I was starting now to play, I would spend time slowing down this record to figure out Wally on the Run and just what are those cool chords climbing up the neck a la Don Reno, as well as several of the other tunes. Don't have to now! Tony is writing a book of all the tunes tabbed out! Did I mention that Tony's banjo harmonies on Wally on the Run? oh, never mind.. he is always good, and this is a high mark for him.

Pete played a solo that was so good on Words Unspoken I wanted him to sell it to me so I could call it mine. His Pretty Flowers backup was great too.. he takes it after the Steve opening, then bows out of the way for Earl to come in. Overall, we came.. we picked.. We conquered .. and as we attacked all these songs written by Steve it became apparent that he is a musician disguised as an actor.

This is an album I think you will want to stick in your ears many times. It will take you back to a place you've never been . . . it has me, and I was there.

This just in from Steve Noonan Music

Here's the link to my web site

Some current news & other interesting stuff

http://www.stevenoonan.com/

Draft Dodgers

Michael Ray.....
I don't know where this pic was taken.
I think Tony Duque and Steve and I had all been
at a campfire maybe, talking about our futures
as concerned the WAR, the DRAFT and where
we were headed. We all scattered in different
directions after that night. The Paradox brought
us together on one thing was certain.
A understanding of how our families and
heritage led us in our lives.
An awareness of how our far different choices did not make
us different friends. It was a very hard night about
5 minutes before we became men.

Inside the Paradox

Yep, Steve Noonan in the kitchen.

Jackson in the Paradox on New Years Eve

before almost everything.

Not quite everything but almost. Dirtband

days when he made the girls faint with

"Sit right down and write myself a letter"

My favorite NGDB and JB song which

I never heard them do again.

Gary picks up the art for the Paradox poster.

He drove all the way to Fullerton and

it wern't such great art.

Sorry Gary.

late '66

Noonan had this motorcycle.

Honda Superhawk 305 bored out to 350

with scrambler pipes.

Very dark and un-Honda looking, more like

a biker bike. I rode it up the coast to Santa

Cruz once. Oh my. Big Sur.

I pickup-trucked it home though.

This is another time where Steve amazed me.

He taught me to give away things.

When he went to NY he gave me the bike.

One of the many

surprises he gave me for my understanding of life.

Here's Jackson riding that Stevo-cycle behind

his house in....hmmmm...Garden Grove or

something like that? 65 or 66. Me and Jackson

rode around on the vacant land behind the house

playing at dirt biking.

First Star

The first Rock and Roll star I ever knew is Steve Noonan.
Steve is the one who started it up for me.
Steve Noonan opened the Book Of The Real Thing for me.
He showed me the real folk and blues
musicians and traditions and how we could play a part in
that world.
Steve is the one who opened the world of the PARADOX to me.
His insights, his knowledge, his poetic musical nature and deep
kindness solidified my pathways into this world of poets.

This picture is a little after my PARADOX days.
Steve at my house in Santa Cruz about 1968 I think,
right after he got back from New York City.

The Crow

Rush out and buy Steve Martins' "The Crow"
It'll Give You Happy Feet...'Nuff Said!

And for those of you in the Bay Area.....

Also just in from John:


John McEuen, Chris Hillman, Herb Pederson
IN SAN FRANCISCO
Feb. 2 & 3
Yoshi's
8 pm
1330 Fillmore Street 94115
415 655 5600

Chris Hillman and Herb Pederson!... Two guys I watched a lot in those 'early years'.. and I mean when I was working in Disneyland with Steve Martin, pre NGDB.. Chris hails from Byrds, Burrito Bros, Desert Rose Band and has always been a leader in pushing music ahead. Herb's track record includes singing 'with everybody'.. check them out on google. I first saw Herb playing Salt Creek during a break when I was working at the Magic Shop in Disneyland, and followed him over the years .. and finally got to know them both.

Our shows involve a lot of mixing it up from NGDB songs to Circle album music to their background... and their vocals are the best..

This just in from Johnny McEuen

John McEuen recently finished producing an album of his lifelong friend, actor Steve Martin. With all original music and lyrics written by Martin- released date Jan. 27, 2009 - John says, "The Steve album is great! People will be shocked at how vast and varied is music is, and how great he plays… this album will show Steve as a composer of unique melodies, hot licks and soulful lyrics. He is definitely a songwriter with an unusual twist for notes and lyrics; in the 45 years I've known him, I've never heard him playing better. I am working with the Chaplin of our era.”

Titled Steve Martin - The Crow new songs for the 5-string banjo (11 instrumentals and four vocals), the album features such diverse musician talents as Earl Scruggs, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Tony Trishka, Pete Wernick, McEuen, David Amram, Craig Eastman. Vince Gill duets with Dolly Parton on Pretty Flowers, Ireland's Mary Black sings Calico Train, Tim O'Brien sings Daddy Played the Banjo), and Steve sings Late for School. John brings together traditional folk instruments to Steve's world of notes where you hear influences from their mutual past - Disneyland, The Music Man, Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring, and bluegrass - in way that “will take the music world by surprise,” says producer McEuen.

PART OF HISTORY

In 1962 I had occasion to drive across across the country, in the deep south we saw "White only" sign's at restaurants and bathrooms. I remember being quite shocked then, being a California gal. Today, January 20, 2009 history has been made, their is hope for us after all. Obama is the 12 president in my life time, starting FDR. I'm feeling older than dirt!
Helen

O.K. All together now.... Here we go

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6ymb_hamster-dance_animals

Happy New Year To All and To All A Goodnight...Susan & Gary
(click on picture)

Happy Holidays

Best wishes to all for a happy and healthy holiday season.

Susan and I spent Christmas Eve with Ralph at his church. Lots of Christmas Carols, Ralph played some great guitar with the band. Finished off the evening doing burgers and way too much coffee at Hoff's Hut. Thought I'd throw this up as a teaser to Ralph's Demo CD that we hope to finish up soon. Here's the rough draft of the CD cover.

Peace to all,

Gary & Susan

Happy Hoiday's

We wish you a Merry Christmas, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, We Wish You a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!!!
Hello our Paradox family, so looking forward to seeing you in June. We have exciting news, our daughter Virginia is going to be a Grandmother in July!!!! This of course means we are expecting to be Great Grandparents for the first time. Move over Tony and Leigh! Virginia is up here for the holiday's , back from India, getting used to the idea, just too cool!
Have a good one.
Bob and Helen

By any chance did any of you catch on KVIE or what ever public TV is in your area "The Censorship Struggles of the Smothers Brothers"? It's really fabulous, another trip down memory lane. Some great Pat Paulson, Mason Williams, Steve Martin. Watch it if possible.
Helen

Damn flies

Here's one to mess with your head!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbaQWYXiazE&feature=related

Diane's Wallet c. 1967

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

As many of you know, I moved two years ago. What you may not know, and I'm not anxious to admit, is that I'm still not 100% moved in. Over the long weekend, I thought I'd make an attempt to empty a few more boxes and ..... voila! I found the old wallet I have packed around with me since 1967 -- literally falling apart at the seams.

I wish there were snapshots taken at the Paradox -- there aren't -- however I have found Bob, Helen, Ginny, Linda, and Blooming Kid photos from that time. A photo of Norman Greenbaumn et al. in full face paint. And many other surprises (like a drawing I'm pretty sure Bruce Kunkel did). There's even an Elswit Thomas business card and a much coveted invitation to Beethoven's birthday party, which will soon be upon us.

Alas, this computer doesn't have the software to run my scanner (another tale of woe.... spilled coffee on my old one) but will try to scan some photos soon.

In the meantime, does anyone else have a stash of old photos to share?